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Dr. Ermias, Mergia Terefe
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
eterefe@usiu.ac.ke    |     +254 730 116 716

Biography:

Dr. Ermias Mergia Terefe is a registered expert pharmacist (both in Ethiopia and Kenya) with a Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology, Masters of Science degree in Pharmacology and a Bachelors degree in Pharmacy. He has also completed postgraduate diploma in curriculum design and development from Open University of Tanzania and UNESCO. In addition, Dr. Ermias is an eLearning champion, health professional’s education & training expert, instructional designer and blended learning expert.

Dr. Terefe has more than 16 years of professional teaching experience, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Chair, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy at the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa), Kenya. Prior to joining USIU-Africa he was Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at Adama Hospital Medical College (AHMC), Ethiopia, where he lectured various pharmacology modules for medicine and pharmacy students for five (5) years. Previously he has worked at Rift Valley University, Ethiopia where he served for seven (7) years as the head of pharmacy department and lectured pharmacology and related courses for pharmacy, nursing & public health students. He has also served as hospital pharmacist at Medhanialem general hospital, Ethiopia.

Dr. Terefe has also served as an Education and Training Officer at USAID funded Strengthening Human Resource for Health (S-HRH) project in Jhpiego-Ethiopia, where he supported more than 10 universities in improving quality of health professional’s education. Currently he is serving as member of the National technical working group in the Ministry of Health and as an expert resource person for the Pharmacy and Poison Board (PPB) of Kenya. He is playing a pivotal role in digitalization of in-service trainings and in review of the national B.Pharm and Diploma pharmacy curriculums in Kenya.

Furthermore, he has rich training and consultancy experience in facilitation of pedagogical and technical update trainings, in curriculum design and educational material development. He has served as chair of the research, project and professional development (RPPD) committee of Ethiopian Pharmaceutical association (EPA). He has received national recognition from Ethiopian FMOH, Oromia regional health bureau (ORHB), Oromia TVET bureau and AHMC for his outstanding contribution in the curriculum design and module development for Pharmacy and medical laboratory programs in November 2018.

Education:

  • Ph.D in Molecular Pharmacology from University of Nairobi, Kenya
  • MSc. Pharmacology from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
  • Bachelor degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharm) and Diploma in Pharmacy
  • Registered as Pharmacist (Reg. No- 4051) from the Kenya Pharmacy and Poison board (PPB)
  • Registered as Expert pharmacist (Reg. No- 518) from Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Oromia National Regional state, Health Bureau.
  • Post graduate diploma in curriculum design and development (PGDCDD)
  • Certificates in faculty development trainings including:
    • Master class for teaching Online, eLearning Champion
    • Arizona State university Spark MethodTM Facilitator certification
    • Effective teaching skills, Instructional design, Multimedia for learning
    • Student assessment
    • Clinical simulation, Clinical teaching skill, Clinical mentorship skill, Action research, Basic Human Subjects Research Course and Manuscript writing training.
    • Standard based management and recognition (SBM-R), Professional Ethics
  • Certificates in technical update trainings including:
    • ART for Pharmacy professionals, Palliative care, mental health, Rational Medicine Use, Supply chain management, pharmacotherapy, Neurobiology of Addiction and other technical areas.
  • Certificates in advanced research including:
    • Maintenance and operation of P3 laboratory,
    • Pharmacovigilance,
    • In silico Modeling
    • Research Ethics

Research Work and Publications:

Articles in referred journals

  • Terefe, E. M., & Ghosh, A. (2022). Molecular Docking, Validation, Dynamics Simulations, and Pharmacokinetic Prediction of Phytochemicals Isolated From Croton dichogamus Against the HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase. Bioinformatics and Biology Insights, 16, 1–20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36185760/ (September 26, 2022)
  • Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Muriuki, J., Rotich, W., Mas-Claret, E., Sadgrove, N., Padilla-González, G. F., Prescott, T. A. K., Siddique, H., & Langat, M. K. (2022). Constituents of Croton megalocarpus with Potential Anti-HIV Activity. Journal of Natural Products. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35709365/ (June 16, 2022)
  • Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Langat, M. K., Mas-Claret, E., Aljarba, N. H., Alkahtani, S., Batiha, G. E.-S., Ghosh, A., El-Masry, E. A., & Muriuki, J. (2022). In vitro anti-HIV and cytotoxic effects of pure compounds isolated from Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Delile. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 2022 22:1, 22(1), 1–10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35705943/ (June 15, 2022)
  • Degu, A., Terefe, E. M., Some, E. S., & Tegegne, G. T. (2022). Treatment Outcomes and Its Associated Factors Among Adult Patients with Selected Solid Malignancies at Kenyatta National Hospital: A Hospital-Based Prospective Cohort Study. Cancer Management and Research, 14, 1525–1540. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35498512/ (April 22, 2022)
  • Ghosh, A., Mukerjee, N., Sharma, B., Pant, A., Kishore Mohanta, Y., Jawarkar, R. D., Bakal, R. L., Terefe, E. M., Batiha, G. E. S., Mostafa-Hedeab, G., Aref Albezrah, N. K., Dey, A., & Baishya, D. (2022). Target Specific Inhibition of Protein Tyrosine Kinase in Conjunction With Cancer and SARS-COV-2 by Olive Nutraceuticals. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35356629/ (March 8, 2022)
  • Patel, D.M., Terefe E.M., Okeyo. A. (2022). Assessment of Prescribing Practice at Thika Level 5 Hospital. Pharmaceutical Journal of Kenya, 26(1), 24–28 (Link: SC-1.8)
  • Terefe E. M., Okalebo F. A., Deresse S., Muriuki J., Amuhaya E. K., Munyendo L. W., Janapati Y., Obila J., Mosweta J. (2022). Cytotoxicity and antiretroviral activity of the leaf and stem bark extracts of Croton macrostachyus. Pharmaceutical Journal of Kenya, 26(1), 2022. (Link: SC-1.7)
  • Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Batiha, G. E.-S., Youssef, A., Alorabi, M., & Muriuki, J. (2022). Cytotoxicity and anti-HIV activities of extracts of the twigs of Croton dichogamus Pax. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 2022 22:1, 22(1), 1–8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35216601/ (February 25, 2022)
  • Terefe, E. M.; Okalebo, F. A.; Derese, S.; Muriuki, J.; Batiha, G. E.-S. In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Anti-HIV Activity of Crude Extracts of Croton Macrostachyus, Croton Megalocarpus and Croton Dichogamus. J. Exp. Pharmacol. 2021, 13, 971–979. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35221732/ (December 22, 2021)
  • Mergia E., Terefe G., Teklehaymanot T. and Shibeshi W. (2016). Antitrypanosomal activity of Verbascum sinaiticum Benth. (Scrophulariaceae) against Trypanosoma congolense isolates. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 16:362 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27629546/ (September 15, 2016)
  • Mergia E., Terefe G., Teklehaymanot T. and Shibeshi W. (2015). Phytochemical screening and in vitro antitrypanosomal activity of aqueous and methanol leaf extract of Clutia abyssinica (Euphorbiaceae) against Trypanosoma congolense. Pharmacologia 6 (3): 79-87 (Link: SC-1.3)
  • Mergia E, Shibeshi W, Terefe G and Teklehaymanot T. (2014). Phytochemical Screening and in vitro antitrypanosomal activity of aqueous and methanol leaf extract of Verbascum sinaiticum (Scrophulariaceae) against Trypanosoma congolense Field Isolate. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 4:183 doi:10.4172/2161-0681.1000183 Published July 09, 2014 (Link: SC-1.2)
  • Mergia E., Terefe G., Teklehaymanot T. and Shibeshi W. (2014). Evaluation of in vivo antitrypanosomal activity of aqueous and methanol leaf extracts of Clutia abyssinica (Euphorbiaceae) against Trypanosoma congolense. Natural Products Chemistry and research. 2 (138) Published May 22, 2014 doi:10.4172/2329-6836.1000138 (Link: SC-1.1)

Tertiary level Scholarly books:

  • Ermias Mergia (2019). Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Pharmacy Students, Lambert academic publishing. ISBN: 978-613-9-46460-9
  • Ermias Mergia, Zerihun Ayenew (2018). Trainer guide for pharmacy level II-IV programs, Oromia Regional Health bureau and Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.
  • Ermias Mergia, Worku Bedada, Edao Sado, Getu Melesi (2018). Learning Module: Dispensing of Pharmaceuticals, Oromia Regional Health bureau and Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.
  • Ermias Mergia, Abay Kasa, Abdurazak Jemal, Biranu Motbaynor, Desalegn Chilo, Worku Bedada, Edao Sado, Getu Melesie, Mustefa Ahmed, Shibiru Tesema, Tesemma Sileshi (2018). Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences. Oromia Regional Health bureau and Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.
  • Ermias Mergia, Asrat Hordofa, Biranu Motbaynor, Shibiru Tesema (2018). Learning module: Compounding of Pharmaceuticals skill lab manual, Oromia Regional Health bureau and Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.
  • Ermias Mergia, Worku Bedada, Edao Sado, Getu Melesi (2018). Learning module: Drug supply management, Oromia Regional Health bureau and Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.

Tertiary level Scholarly books:

  1. Lincoln W. Munyendo, Francis A. Ndemo, Ermias M. Terefe (2022). Dual Vocational Training for Pharmaceutical Production Specialist Project - Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Germany – grant amount US Dollars 111,687 (External Grant)
  2. Ermias Mergia, Edit Amuhaya, Lincolin Munyendo, Yashoda Janapati, James Obila and Josephat Mosweta (2018). “Evaluation of Anti-HIV activity of selected medicinal plants and synthetic porphyrins” an ongoing research project with an internal grant research fund of 887,000/KSH from USIU-Africa (Internal Grant)
  3. Amsalu Degu, Ermias Mergia, Eliab Some (2018) “Treatment outcomes and its associated factors among adult patients with seleceted solid malignancies at Kenyata National Hospital: a hospital- based prospective cohort study” an ongoing research project with an internal grant research fund of 889,000/KSH from USIU-Africa (Internal Grant)

Peer reviewed conference papers:

  • Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Muriuki, J (2021)). Molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies for antiretreoviral activity of phytochemicals isolated from Croton dichogamus. 7th International electronic conference on Medicinal Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.3390/ECMC2021-11387
  • Terefe, E. M.; Okalebo, F. A.; Derese, S.; Muriuki, J., (2021). Cytotoxicity and antiretroviral activity of solvent fractions of aerial parts of Croton dichogamus. Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya 41st annual scientific symposium October 25-27, 2021 book of abstracts. pp 46-47.
  • Patel, D. M., Terefe, E. M., Okeyo A. (2021). Assessment of prescribing practice at Thika level 5 hospital. Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya 41st annual scientific symposium October 25-27, 2021 book of abstracts. pp 26-27.
  • Mulwa, B. M., Terefe, E.M. (2021). Ethnopharmacological study on medicinal plants used for skin conditions in Mwala sub-county, Kenya. Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya 41st annual scientific symposium October 25-27, 2021 book of abstracts. pp 25-26.
  • Betty, A. L., Terefe, E. M. (2021). Antibacterial activity of solvent fractions of Croton dichogamus against Vibrio cholerae and Staphylococcus aureus. Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya 41st annual scientific symposium October 25-27, 2021 book of abstracts. pp 23-24.
  • Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Muriuki, J., Amuhaya, E. K., Munyendo, L. W., Janapati, Y., Obila, J., Mosweta, J. (2021). Cytotoxicity and antiretroviral activity of solvent fractions of leaf and stem bark extracts of Croton macrostachyus. 7th All African Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (ACP2021) | Virtual Meeting September 15-17 2021 ACP-A-08-21-lUxE pp 123.
  • Ermias Mergia (2019). In-vivo antimalarial efficacy of methanolic leaf extract of Verbascum sinaiticum in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain. 5th international conference in antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in Orlando, Florida May 28-31, 2019
  • Yasodha Krishna Janapati, Lincoln Munyendo, Njeri Wamae, Ermias Mergia Terefe Evaluation of Sedative and Hypnotic Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Holostemma ada Kodien Schults in Mice. 70th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, New Delhi; India

Scholarly presentation at conference:

  • Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Muriuki, J (2021). Molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies for antiretreoviral activity of phytochemicals isolated from Croton dichogamus. 7th International electronic conference on Medicinal Chemistry.
  • Terefe, E. M.; Okalebo, F. A.; Derese, S.; Muriuki, J., (2021). Cytotoxicity and antiretroviral activity of solvent fractions of aerial parts of Croton dichogamus. Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya 41st annual scientific symposium October 25-27, 2021 book of abstracts. pp 46-47.
  • Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Muriuki, J., Amuhaya, E. K., Munyendo, L. W., Janapati, Y., Obila, J., Mosweta, J. (2021). Cytotoxicity and antiretroviral activity of solvent fractions of leaf and stem bark extracts of Croton macrostachyus. 7th All African Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (ACP2021) | Virtual Meeting September 15-17 2021 ACP-A-08-21-lUxE pp 123.
  • Ermias Mergia, Eliab Some, Amsalu Defersha (2019). Seminar on research Methodology for USIU-Africa Pharmacy Students, June 01, 2019
  • Ermias Mergia (2019). In-vivo antimalarial efficacy of methanolic leaf extract of Verbascum sinaiticum in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain. 5th international conference in antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in Orlando, Florida May 28-31, 2019

Reports and other Publication

  1. Njeri Wamae, Lincolin Munyendo, Amsalu Defersha, Apolo Maima, Betty Mbatia, Calvin Omolo, Edith Amuhaya, Ermias Mergia Terefe, Peter Njogu (2019). Bachelor of pharmacy attachment manual. United States International University-Africa.
  2. Abebe Kebede, Bekalu Asaminew, Ermias Mergia Terefe (2017) Empowering female health science students in Ethiopia, A case study. Jhpiego-Ethiopia

Notable key leadership roles include:

  • Editorial board member of Journal of Global Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences since January 2021
  • Peer-Reviewer for:
    • Journal of Natural Products Research, Taylor and Francis
    • Journal of Virtual Experiments
    • Journal of Integrative Medicine
    • Journal of American Chemical Society (ACS)
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